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MEDSURG FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
Heparin is ordered for a patient with a non-ST-segment-elevation
myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). What is the purpose of the heparin?
Ans: c. Heparin prevents the development of new clots in the coronary
arteries.
A male client with a history of cirrhosis and alcoholism is admitted with
severe dyspnea resulted to ascites. The nurse should be aware that the
ascites is most likely the result of increased Ans: 1. Pressure in the
portal vein
Marie, a 51-year-old woman, is diagnosed with cholecystitis. Which diet,
when selected by the client, indicates that the nurse's teaching has been
successful? Ans: Low-fat, high-carbohydrate meals
Which data will the nurse monitor in relation to the 4+ pitting edema
assessed in a patient with cirrhosis? Ans: Albumin level
Which assessment finding indicates that lactulose is effective in
decreasing the ammonia level in the client with hepatic encephalopathy?
Ans: Passage of two or three soft stools daily
A young woman who is 4 months pregnant comes into the ED with
complaints of terrible indigestion pain, N/V and tooth pain. Which
assessment finding collected by the admitting nurse suggests it is an AMI
instead of gallbladder attack? Ans: Pain lasted longer than 30 min with
no decrease in intensity or rest
The nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis of the liver who has
developed esophageal varices. Best explanation for development of
varices is: Ans: Increased portal pressure causes some of the blood that
normally circulates through the liver to be shunted to esophageal vessels,
increasing pressure and causing varicosities
The nurse will teach the patient diagnosed with Hep B about: Ans:
measures for improving the appetite
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A 24 year old female contracts hepatitis from contaminated food. During
the acute phase of the patient's illness, the nurse would expect to reveal
Ans: anti-hepatitis A virus immunoglobulin
A 51 year old woman had incisional cholecystectomy 6 hours ago. The
nurse will place the highest priority on assisting the patient to: Ans:
turn, cough and deep breath every 2 hours
Which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect a client diagnoses
with acute cholecystitis to exhibit? Ans: Nausea, vomiting and anorexia
A 55 year old patient admitted with an abrupt onset of jaundice and
nausea has abnormal liver function studies but serologic testing negative
for hepatitis. Which question by the nurse is most appropriate? Ans: Do
you use any over the counter drugs?
A nurse is completing the admission assessment of a client who has acute
pancreatitis. Which of the following findings is priority to be reported?
Ans: Hand spasms present when blood pressure is checked
A serum potassium level of 3.2 is reported for a patient with cirrhosis
who has scheduled doses of spironolactone and Lasix, what should the
nurse do? Ans: Administer the spironolactone
When developing a teaching plan for a 61 year old man with the following
risk factors for CAD to decrease the risk for acute coronary syndrome,
the nurse's early focus should be the: Ans: elevation of the patient's low
density lipoprotein (LDL) level
A client enters the ER complaining of severe chest pain. A myocardial
infarction is suspected. A 12 lead ECG appears normal, but the doctor
admits the client for further testing until cardiac enzyme studies are
returned. All of the following will be included in the nursing care plan.
Which activity has the highest priority? Ans: Maintaining cardiac
monitoring
A patient who is recovering from an acute myocardial infarction (AMI)
asks the nurse about when sexual intercourse can be resumed. Which
response by the nurse is best? Ans: "Sexual activity uses about as much
energy as climbing two flights of stairs."
MEDSURG FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
Heparin is ordered for a patient with a non-ST-segment-elevation
myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). What is the purpose of the heparin?
Ans: c. Heparin prevents the development of new clots in the coronary
arteries.
A male client with a history of cirrhosis and alcoholism is admitted with
severe dyspnea resulted to ascites. The nurse should be aware that the
ascites is most likely the result of increased Ans: 1. Pressure in the
portal vein
Marie, a 51-year-old woman, is diagnosed with cholecystitis. Which diet,
when selected by the client, indicates that the nurse's teaching has been
successful? Ans: Low-fat, high-carbohydrate meals
Which data will the nurse monitor in relation to the 4+ pitting edema
assessed in a patient with cirrhosis? Ans: Albumin level
Which assessment finding indicates that lactulose is effective in
decreasing the ammonia level in the client with hepatic encephalopathy?
Ans: Passage of two or three soft stools daily
A young woman who is 4 months pregnant comes into the ED with
complaints of terrible indigestion pain, N/V and tooth pain. Which
assessment finding collected by the admitting nurse suggests it is an AMI
instead of gallbladder attack? Ans: Pain lasted longer than 30 min with
no decrease in intensity or rest
The nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis of the liver who has
developed esophageal varices. Best explanation for development of
varices is: Ans: Increased portal pressure causes some of the blood that
normally circulates through the liver to be shunted to esophageal vessels,
increasing pressure and causing varicosities
The nurse will teach the patient diagnosed with Hep B about: Ans:
measures for improving the appetite
, Page | 2
A 24 year old female contracts hepatitis from contaminated food. During
the acute phase of the patient's illness, the nurse would expect to reveal
Ans: anti-hepatitis A virus immunoglobulin
A 51 year old woman had incisional cholecystectomy 6 hours ago. The
nurse will place the highest priority on assisting the patient to: Ans:
turn, cough and deep breath every 2 hours
Which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect a client diagnoses
with acute cholecystitis to exhibit? Ans: Nausea, vomiting and anorexia
A 55 year old patient admitted with an abrupt onset of jaundice and
nausea has abnormal liver function studies but serologic testing negative
for hepatitis. Which question by the nurse is most appropriate? Ans: Do
you use any over the counter drugs?
A nurse is completing the admission assessment of a client who has acute
pancreatitis. Which of the following findings is priority to be reported?
Ans: Hand spasms present when blood pressure is checked
A serum potassium level of 3.2 is reported for a patient with cirrhosis
who has scheduled doses of spironolactone and Lasix, what should the
nurse do? Ans: Administer the spironolactone
When developing a teaching plan for a 61 year old man with the following
risk factors for CAD to decrease the risk for acute coronary syndrome,
the nurse's early focus should be the: Ans: elevation of the patient's low
density lipoprotein (LDL) level
A client enters the ER complaining of severe chest pain. A myocardial
infarction is suspected. A 12 lead ECG appears normal, but the doctor
admits the client for further testing until cardiac enzyme studies are
returned. All of the following will be included in the nursing care plan.
Which activity has the highest priority? Ans: Maintaining cardiac
monitoring
A patient who is recovering from an acute myocardial infarction (AMI)
asks the nurse about when sexual intercourse can be resumed. Which
response by the nurse is best? Ans: "Sexual activity uses about as much
energy as climbing two flights of stairs."
